Illegal tobacco which could contain human poo, dead flies and asbestos being sold in west London

Covert footage show shopkeepers across London selling illegal cigarettes which could contain asbestos, mould, dust, dead flies, rat droppings and human excrement.

A third of smokers in London admit to having bought illegal tobacco , new research claims.

A packet of 20 illegal cigarettes can be around £3, while new rules introduced this month mean a pack of legal cigarettes cost at least £8.82.

Test purchasers managed to buy 50 illegal tobacco products from retailers across the capital including shops in Ealing , Hounslow , Wembley , Perivale , Harrow and Wealdstone, Willesden , Kingsbury , Kilburn , Paddington and Marylebone .

Of the retailers who were "mystery shopped" one in eight were found to be selling illegal cigarettes, while more than a quarter of London smokers have been offered illegal tobacco in the last 12 months.

Retailers can turn a profit on illegal tobacco products as they do not pay the heavy duties imposed on legal tobacco.

The research, carried out by a third party on behalf of Japan Tobacco International, also found counterfeit tobacco products from well known brands including Marlboro, Mayfair and Amber Leaf tobacco.

The company, which owns several tobacco brands, believes new government rules which force cigarettes to be sold in plain packaging, could mean criminals could sell more counterfeit tobacco products to unwitting consumers.

It also believes the ban on selling packs of 10 cigarettes could influence some shoppers to opt for the cheaper, even more dangerous option.

Steve Wilkins, Japan Tobacco International’s anti-illegal trade operations director and former detective chief superintendent at Dyfed Powys Police said: “Smokers buying cheap fake cigarettes and tobacco on the streets of the UK may be getting more than they bargain for as these fake imitations has been found to contain asbestos, mould, dust, dead flies, rat droppings and even human excrement.

"The availability of cheap illegal tobacco across towns and cities in the UK is damaging local communities and along with retailers, suppliers and the government we all have a role to play to combat the issue.

"Anyone with information about this type of crime should contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

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